Opportunities for Women
In blending our unique curriculum and opportunities for real life experiences through Summer Sea Terms and commercial internships, our women grow to be the very best in the Industry. As a graduate of Maritime your future is bright with possibilities. Take a peek into the lives of our current students and alumni to discover the world of opportunities that our women are exposed to.
• Academics
• WAVE – Women Achieving Valor and Excellence
• Regiment of Cadets
• Civilian Students
• Athletics
• Alumni
Academics
Maritime offers a wide variety of majors including, Marine Transportation/Business Administration, International Transportation and Trade, Engineering, Humanities, Naval Architecture and Marine Environmental Science. Through involvement in the Regiment of Cadets, we also offer the opportunity to pursue a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer's License as a 3rd Mate or 3rd Assistant Engineer. Students who do not participate in the Licensing program gain valuable hands on experience through commercial internships.
“SUNY Maritime College is a special place filled with wonderful people and unique opportunities. I began teaching chemistry here in 1996 and was promoted to Science Department Chair in 2006. The Science Department is the home of our Marine Environmental Science majors. 
While here, these students enjoy unique laboratory experiences that only a college on the water can provide. After graduating, our students have been offered prominent positions as Environmental Consultants, Marine Analysts, and Environmental Educators, among others.”
- Kathy Olszewski, Ph.D.
WAVE – Women Achieving Valor and Excellence
WAVE is an organization that was established in 2009 to introduce prospective students to our campus and expose them to the opportunities that are available to them both as students and alumni. The response from this program was so tremendous that it has since grown into a mentoring program and a platform to empower and unite the women of the Maritime College Community.
The WAVE organization helps to bring together the female faculty, staff, alumni, and students, by holding events throughout the calendar year. These social settings help to establish bonds amongst the female population, as well as act as a resource for the women of our college to gain exposure to the many different career options that are available to them upon graduation.
Click the below link for pictures of past WAVE events
WAVE events
Click the below link to become a fan of WAVE on Facebook
SUNY Maritime WAVE
“As an alumni and current employee of Maritime, I find WAVE to be an amazing organization. I have witnessed firsthand how it has been 
used as a resource to welcome a new population of women to the college. It is warming to know how much this college supports the futures of its women and the steps that have been taken to encourage growth and unity amongst the female population.”
-Alissa McGrisken, Class of 2006
Regiment of Cadets
The Regiment is a struc¬tured community designed to prepare students for a U.S. Coast Guard license as either a Third Mate or Third Assis¬tant Engineer. In addition, the program helps cadets develop leadership, teamwork and individual responsibility and strengthen time manage¬ment and problem-solving skill. Participation in the Regiment is optional for Intern Option students.
“Maritime is said to be a male dominated school, and at times it really is. With that said, I can't say that there is anything wrong with the male to female ratio. The maritime industry is just the same and going through this school truly prepares women for the real world. We work hard, and it pays off in the end. Women are offered just as many 
opportunities as the men, whether it's sports, academics, clubs, or even jobs. Life in the regiment is not as hard as it is made out to be. Everyone in the freshman class is going through the same hardships together, and if you just look ahead you realize that there is nothing to complain about. Behind every rule is a reason. In less than four short years I hope to be working out on a container ship traveling between the Hawaiian Islands and the California coast, while working towards my captain's license. Had I been asked a few years ago “What do you want to be when you grow up?" I would have never expected that I would be here.”
-Dara Kovarsky, 4/C Marine Operations
“Maritime College offers so many opportunities to the female population that aren't as readily available at other schools. As a Marine Business and
Commerce major with a Deck License, balancing school work, athletics, and regimental duties has taught me the value of time management and responsibility. I've been given leadership positions here that are both challenging and rewarding. Thanks to my time here and the many experiences I have had, I know I'll be ready for whatever lies ahead of graduation.”
-Krystyn Rutzel, 1/C Marine Business and Commerce
Civilian Students
Women interested in a traditional college experience may opt to enter as a civilian, intern option student. These students do not participate in the Summer Sea Term or licensing program, and do not wear a uniform.
“Transitioning from an all girls’ high school to Maritime was difficult for me at first. As a civilian student, I was not part of the natural bonds that were 
formed out of going through Indoctrination together with my classmates; however, once I joined the volleyball and swimming team, I began to feel like I fit right in. The environment of the college is very much team oriented because of the everyday challenges all of the students face. Because of these challenges I believe I have grown as a person and have made amazing friendships that will last a life time.”
- Deirdre Dresch, Junior International Transportation and Trade
"Maritime College offers a great international business 
program. That is the main reason I chose to attend this school. I also like the quiet setting and small size of the campus. It is a very tight-knit community which makes building relationships with classmates and professors much easier. Becoming a resident assistant was also a great way to get involved in the Maritime community and help out fellow students."
-Courtney Collins, Senior International Transportation and Trade
Athletics
Maritime is an NCAA Division III school. Women’s sports available include Crew, Cross Country, Lacrosse, Rifle, Sailing, Soccer, Swimming and Volleyball. In 2007, the Chronicle of Higher Education ranked Mari¬time 5th of all Division III colleges for providing opportu¬nities for female athletes to play collegiate level sports.
“Being a female athlete is one of the greatest opportunities on campus. It 
has given me the chance to make good friends and to become a part of a group of girls who are all willing to work hard and have fun at the same time. Being a part of a team is an experience every college student should have. It is especially important as a Maritime student, where you learn to work with your teammates both on and off the field.”
-Catherine Brady, 3/C Marine Environmental Science
"As an electrical engineering major with a deck license, I have a pretty 
heavy workload. Women's lacrosse and volleyball provides me with the opportunity to pull away from the stress of school. There is nothing like a 100 yard sprint to clear your mind. Also the camaraderie and support from the coaches and fellow athletes have helped make my time at Maritime a truly great one."
- Natalie Warren, 2/C Electrical Engineering and NROTC midshipman
“Being a female athlete at Maritime has been a great experience. Over 
the past few years, I've been able to challenge myself physically and form unbreakable bonds with my teammates. When I first came to Maritime, I wasn't planning on playing any sports until some of my female deck mates convinced me to come out for the lacrosse team. Those women are still my closest friends today, 4 years later. I wouldn't be the person I am today without the women I met here.”
-Meagan Golden, 1/C Marine Transportation
Alumni
Women who graduate from Maritime are well equipped for positions of major responsibility regardless of the career path they choose.
Our alumnae are pursuing successful careers as engineers, naval architects, ship’s officers, active duty military officers and managers of companies.
“Maritime prepared me to be an Assistant Maintenance Manager at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Cogeneration Power Plant in so many ways. Working at the power plant is a lot like working in a ships engine plant, the 
equipment is just a lot bigger. Working in this industry is not always easy. It can be awkward at times to be a young engineer telling men my father’s age what to do; however, my training at Maritime prepared me to be confident in my abilities and leadership skills in order to get a job done no matter who is on my work team.”
-Rachel Brockert – Class of 2006
Assistant Maintenance Manager - Brooklyn Navy Yard Cogeneration Power Plant
"Fort Schuyler teaches you the skills you will need to succeed upon 
graduation...Teamwork and Leadership. The ability to get a ship underway and to its’ next port on time takes the involvement of the whole crew. You have to be able to work with your peers and lead your department towards the common goal...arrive at the next port safely.”
-Aleana Lytle – Class of 2001
Chief Mate, Military Sealift Command
